Mobile subscriber device for financial transaction tokens

ABSTRACT

There is provided a mobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token. The subscriber unit interfaces with a financial token or card that is in communication with the subscriber unit. The financial token or card has an onboard energy source so that the card token may operate away from proximity to a merchant terminal (e.g.; a POS terminal). In one implementation, the onboard power storage device includes a rechargeable battery or capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power the subscriber unit&#39;s onboard electronics and/or the electronics of a financial token in communication with the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit may be a component of another consumer device such as a computing device, communications device, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a PDA, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a purse, a briefcase, or a personal organizer.

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, consumers have come to rely on debit, credit, and storedvalue cards as a preferred vehicle to provide payment for transactions.Credit cards provide ready access to funds, offer financial protectionsuperior to cash or checks, support loyalty programs, and allowconsumers to take advantage of purchasing opportunities when funds maynot be otherwise available. As debit and stored value cards have becomeincreasingly popular, the need for consumers to carry cash or checkbooksis still further reduced.

Within the past few years, card associations and issuers have beenproviding transaction cards that are enhanced with features beyond thetypical embossed account number, expiration date, cardholder name, andsignature area. “Smart cards,” for example, have now come into popularuse, and allow for enhanced security of both debit and credit cards byuse of onboard integrated circuits to provide memory and optionalmicroprocessor functionality. Smart cards and other enhanced or memorycards or tokens have found uses from replacements for simple embossedcredit/debit cards, toll booth payment, ATM card replacements, and evenSubscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards in cellular handsets.

Even though smart cards and electronics-enhanced cards have providedimprovements over traditional credit cards, they suffer from a number ofdeficiencies. For example, electronics circuitry on enhanced financialtransaction cards must receive externally-provided power to operate. Toobtain power from a merchant's financial or Point-Of-Service (POS)terminal, contact-type smart cards use a physical connector interface;two of such interfaces are defined ISO standards 7810 and 7816. However,many types of cards not in physical contact with a POS terminal or otherpower source cannot operate, and therefore these cards are necessarilyinactive at all other times. Alternatively, some enhanced financialtransaction cards obtain power from a terminal-generated RFelectromagnetic field by way of an inductor that is part of the card'scircuitry. For example, ISO 14443 defines a popular contact lessfinancial transaction card protocol. However, current contactless cardsmust be in close proximity to the properly modulated electromagneticfield in order to operate (10 cm in the case of ISO 14443-compliantcards). Due to the intentionally limited power and range of such shortrange fields, RF-powered cards cannot operate outside of the immediatearea of a merchant's POS terminal, and may not have sufficient power insome cases to provide sophisticated electronic computations or supportmore power consuming circuitry such as displays. Further, embedded chipsof some contactless smart cards often employ cryptographic securityalgorithms that can be “cracked” or decoded if the time and electricalcurrent required for certain encryption or decryption operations ismeasured. Several demonstrations of this mode of account compromise havebeen documented, and thus, the possibility of surreptitious measurementof such parameters without knowledge of the cardholder presents asignificant security risk.

What is needed then is a mobile subscriber unit that interfaces to afinancial token or card, wherein the token or card has an energy storagemechanism. What is further needed is a mobile subscriber unit for afinancial transaction card or token that has an onboard power sourcethat does not utilize the hazardous chemicals associated with typicalpower sources such as replaceable or rechargeable batteries. What isalso needed is a mobile subscriber unit that utilizes a financialtransaction card or token that has a power source that is rechargeableand has a form factor that may be easily carried in a pocket or purse.What is further needed is a mobile subscriber unit for a financialtransaction token that can allow the token to operate in an environmentsignificantly removed from a POS terminal. What is also needed is amobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token that utilizesan onboard power source to provide cryptographic security and protectthe token when not in use. What is still further needed is a mobilesubscriber unit that may reprogram a financial transaction card or tokento encode a variety of types of account information, thereby allowingfor payment flexibility using the financial transaction token. What isalso needed is a mobile subscriber unit for a financial transactiontoken that allows the holder to view information stored in the tokenwithout being in proximity to a POS terminal. What is also needed is amobile subscriber unit for a financial token transaction token thatallows the holder to charge an energy storage device on the financialtoken and view the charge status of the financial tokens' energy source.What is also needed is a mobile communications device that can providepayment for financial transactions though an internally retainedfinancial token.

SUMMARY

There is provided a mobile subscriber unit for a financial transactiontoken. The financial token has an onboard power storage device thatenables the financial token or card that is in communication with thesubscriber unit to operate when the card or token is not in theproximity of a merchant terminal (e.g.; a POS terminal). In oneimplementation, the onboard power storage device includes a rechargeablebattery or capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that storessufficient energy to power the subscriber unit's onboard electronicsand/or the electronics of a financial token in communication with thesubscriber unit. The subscriber unit may comprise a consumer device ormay be a subcomponent of another consumer device such as a computingdevice, communications device, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry,a cell phone, a PDA, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, apurse, a briefcase, or a personal organizer.

In one implementation, the subscriber unit includes a housing with auser interface, an integrated processor and storage, an onboard powersource, and an interface to a financial token such as a smart card. Theuser interface optionally has an exposed region that is provided forencoding data including an account to pay for a transaction. Theencoding renders data in several alternate or complementary formats,such as light- or laser-scannable bar coding on a display,electromagnetic signals that are transmitted to a merchant receiver,external contact pads for a contact-based pickup, and a magnetic stripeassembly. Using the exposed area, the subscriber unit may complete atransaction with a merchant as a proxy for a financial token that is incommunication with the subscriber unit. In one implementation, afinancial token that is in communication with the subscriber unit may bereprogrammed by the subscriber unit by accepting inputs from thesubscriber unit's user interface, and a the subscriber unit's integratedprocessor transmits data to a processor embedded in the token, which inturn accepts the information and executes software in a processorlocated within the token to effect the reprogramming. Thisreprogrammable feature enables the holder of the subscriber unit tosecure the token by erasing a display or magnetic stripe or locking thetoken from unauthorized use. The subscriber unit, when access is grantedto a user, may perform calculations such as adding a tip from apredetermined tip percentage, or selecting payment to occur from avariety of different financial accounts. In one implementation, amagnetic stripe assembly in proximity to the token is reprogrammable, sothat the token's embedded processor may select a particular account frominput specified in the subscriber unit's user interface, and provideinstructions to reprogram the magnetic stripe. In anotherimplementation, the subscriber unit possesses read/write heads that arecapable of reprogramming a financial token as the token is placed withinor removed from a retaining cavity within the subscriber unit's housing.The token's magnetic stripe may then be swiped through a conventionalmerchant magnetic stripe reader to initiate payment for a transaction.In yet another implementation, the account information or transactionauthorization protocol stored within a financial token's memory isrelayed to a mobile subscriber unit with which it is in communication,and a financial transaction is completed by the subscriber unit in proxyfor or in lieu of the token. In another implementation, the token alsoincludes a memory that may optionally be maintained by the onboard powersource located within the subscriber unit.

In another implementation, a mobile subscriber unit interfaces to afinancial token and provides a charging current to an energy storagedevice located within the financial token. In this way, a relativelysmall capacity energy storage clement can be recharged by placing thetoken in communication with the subscriber unit, such as by sliding thetoken within a slot or cavity within the subscriber unit's housing. Anelectrical interface may then proceed to charge the financial token'senergy storage element through current provided by a power source in thesubscriber unit, or through relaying charging current that is obtainedby the subscriber unit's external charging interface. In anotherimplementation, the subscriber unit for a financial token possesses acharging circuit that can utilize an onboard energy generationcapability to recharge the financial token's energy storage clement andoptionally recharge the power source within the subscriber unit.

In another implementation, a mobile subscriber unit for a financialtransaction card is provided that accepts and retains the card within aprotective housing. The card may have a substantially rigid substratenot unlike conventional credit cards and an onboard energy storagedevice such as a thin-film capacitor. The card includes, in oneimplementation, a conventional or reprogrammable magnetic stripeassembly that is disposed proximal the substrate. As mentionedpreviously, the reprogrammable substrate may be configured by anembedded processor that is commanded through inputs provided to a mobilesubscriber unit with which the card is in communication therewith. Inone implementation, the user provides input through a keyboard or anarray of contact pads or blister buttons on or integrated into thesubscriber unit's housing. Alternately, the user input section mayinclude a biometric input device that scans fingerprints or otherbiometric data to authenticate the user of the subscriber unit, or mayhave a pressure-sensitive area for inputting a predetermined accessglyph such as by the user dragging a fingertip over a pad to reproduce asymbol that the user has previously identified. In one embodiment, thehousing of the subscriber unit retains and protects the card fromunauthorized access, such as by preventing physical access to the cardthrough a locking retaining mechanism, and/or by providing shieldingagainst electromagnetic radiation including RF signals.

Various features and advantages of the invention can be more fullyappreciated with reference to the detailed description and accompanyingdrawings that follow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objects, and advantages of embodiments of the disclosurewill become more apparent from the detailed description set forth belowwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like elements bearlike reference numerals.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary implementation of amobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token including anelectrical/data interface;

FIG. 2 illustrates possible alternate implementations of theelectrical/data interface seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary implementation of a financial token and amobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token;

FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary implementation of a financial token anda mobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token;

FIGS. 5A-5B show illustrations of a pendulum and piezoelectric crystalimplementation of the charging circuit seen in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A-6C show illustrations of a movable mass and piezoelectriccrystal implementations of the charging circuit seen in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate two additional exemplary embodiments for themobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary process for the use of variousimplementations of a mobile subscriber unit and a financial transactiontoken.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A block diagram for an exemplary implementation of a mobile subscriberunit 100 for a financial transaction token is seen FIG. 1. Thesubscriber unit 100 comprises an assembly 102 that houses, supports,and/or integrates the components shown in FIG. 1. Those of skill in therelevant arts understand that the assembly 102 may be integrated withina consumer product such as a cell phone or PDA (with embodiments shownin FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively), or may comprise a stand-alone assembly.The subscriber unit includes an integrated processor 105, which those ofskill in the relevant arts will appreciate may comprise a microprocessorchip, a microcontroller chip, an ASIC, a digital signal processor (DSP),or a smart card chip. The processor 105 is coupled to a power circuit115. The power circuit 115 provides power to the subscriber unit'selectronic components 105, 110, and 130, and may further include signalsindicating charging or connection status. The processor 105 is furthercoupled to signal busses 120, 122, and 125, which those of skill in therelevant arts will recognize may be comprised of a plurality ofindividual dedicated signal circuits, commonly shared signal busses,bidirectional signal circuits, unidirectional signal circuits, orcombinations thereof. In one implementation, signal busses 120, 122, and125 comprise a single commonly shared address/data bus with associatedcontrol signals. The integrated processor 105 is coupled to a storage110 through signal bus 125. Those of skill in the relevant artsappreciate that the storage 110 may comprise any number of electronic,magnetic, or electromechanical storage devices such as miniature harddrives; SRAM memory; DRAM memory; ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or flash memory; orcombinations thereof, and such storage may be included in total or inpart upon the same integrated circuit substrate as the processor 105.The storage 110, if of volatile type, may have its data values preservedby power provided by the connected power circuit 115. Data stored inmemory 110 may include code or program instructions which, when executedby processor 105, performs at least part of a command sequence requestedby a user through the user interface 130.

An onboard power source 150 is coupled to and energizes the powercircuit 115. Those of skill in the relevant arts will recognize thatenergy storage devices such as batteries, inductors, capacitors, orcombinations thereof may be utilized to implement the power source 150.In one implementation, power source 150 comprises a thin film capacitor,and may utilize a single dielectric or a multilayer configurationalternating conducting layers and dielectric layers. A number ofdielectrics such as polyester; polypropylene; polycarbonate;polystyrene; polyimide; polyfunctional acrylics; amorphous hydrogenatedcarbon; polytetrafluoroethylene; polyxylylene, nitrides of silicon andaluminum, PTFE, PET, and combinations thereof may be utilized in suchthin film capacitor implementations. A substantially planar thin filmcapacitor implementation is beneficial for implementation in the instantsubscriber unit device 102, as the substantially planar form factor maybe useful in minimizing the overall size of the subscriber unit'sfootprint. In another implementation, power source 150 may beimplemented with any number of conventional rechargeable andnon-rechargeable batteries such as alkaline batteries, lithium ionbatteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel metal hydride batteries.

The power source 150 also provides current to a power line 119 of afinancial token interface (or coupler) 145 either directly through aconnection 116 coupled to the power circuit 115, or via output 118 froma voltage regulator 151 which receives power from a coupling 117 to thepower source. Those of skill in the relevant arts appreciate that theregulator 151 may be implemented with any number of conventional voltageregulators; for example, but not by way of limitation, such regulatorsmay include alone or in combination: zener diodes, voltage regulatorcircuits, voltage translators, transformers, voltage dividers, switchedpower supplies, silicon controlled rectifiers, triacs, potentiometers,and the like.

The power source 150 is coupled 157 to a charging circuit 155. Thecharging circuit may also be coupled 156 to an external electrical orcharging interface 158. Those of skill in the relevant arts will readilyrecognize that the charging interface 158 may be implemented withelectrical contacts to an external circuit, or via an inductor forreceiving power via electromagnetic radiation, and may compriseadditional signals for conveying data to the processor 105. In oneimplementation, charging circuit 155 includes one or more photovoltaiccells, coupled to the power source, which produce electricity uponexposure to light. In another implementation, charging circuit 155further includes one or more piezoelectric crystals electricallyconnected, via coupling 157, to the power source 150, and a movable massthat strikes the piezoelectric crystals as the subscriber unit 100 ismoved. Turning to FIG. 5A, a piezoelectric charger implementation of thecharging circuit 155 is shown. A movable pendulum mass 500 rotates 505,preferably in a substantially planar motion, about a pinned end 510. Thependulum mass 500 also has an impact end 525, that is disposed betweenand may strike cither of two piezoelectric crystals 520, 521. As thecrystals 520, 521 are electrically coupled 157 to the energy storagedevice 150, impacts of the pendulum mass 500 cause pulses of current tobe delivered to the energy storage device 150 thus charging the storagedevice 150. FIG. 5B provides an illustration of the pendulum 500 moving506 to strike crystal 521, and likewise, the pendulum mass 500 may movethe opposite direction to strike the other crystal 520. Turning to FIG.6A, an alternate mass/piezoelectric implementation of the chargingcircuit 155 is shown in cross section. A charger housing 600 constrainspiezoelectric crystals 520, 521 from movement, and crystals 520, 521 areelectrically coupled 157 to the power source 150. A movable mass 625 isdisposed between the crystals 520, 521 within in the charger housing600, and the mass is free to move within the spaces defined 610 by thecharger housing 600 and the crystals 520, 521 as the appliance 100 ismoved. Those of skill in the relevant arts understand that chargerhousing 600 may be implemented by many geometrical shapes that constrainthe piezoelectric crystals 520, 521 while allowing mass 625 to move inthe available space 610. For example, but not by way of limitation,charger housing 600 may be a cylindrical tube with mass 625 comprising adense spherically-shaped object such as a metal ball bearing or a densecylindrical metal slug. Similarly to FIGS. 5A-B, as the mass 625 strikescrystals 520, 521, pulses of current are produced and charge the powersource 150. An example of the charging circuit of FIG. 6A is shown inaction in FIG. 6B. When the subscriber unit 102 containing chargingcircuit 155 is tilted 620 with respect to ground horizontal, the forceof gravity propels mass 625 toward 630 one of the piezoelectric crystals521, whereupon the mass 625 strikes the crystal 521 producing a currentwhich is electrically coupled 157 to the power source 150. Turning toFIG. 6C, another implementation of a charging circuit 155 is shown withtwo crystal/mass housings 600, 650. In this illustration, housings 600,650 have been laid out in the charging circuit 155 with central axesoriented orthogonally with respect to each other. Similarly to FIGS. 5Aand 5B, a mass 675 is also movably disposed between two piezoelectriccrystal elements 660, 661, that are coupled 157 to the power source 150,and the mass 675 is constrained by the housing 650. With thisarrangement, rotation of the subscriber unit 100 with respect tohorizontal produces alternate mass/crystal strikes between thevertically disposed housing 650 and the horizontally disposed housing600. Those of skill in the relevant arts appreciate that any number ofcrystal/mass/housing assemblies may be included in the charging circuit155, and many possible geometric alignments are possible beyond disposalalong orthogonal central axes. Those of skill in the relevant arts alsoappreciate that inertia of the mass 625, 675 may be used to causestriking forces as the charging circuit 155 is moved, independently fromtilting the device. Therefore, movements such as walking or riding avehicle may provide sufficient physical displacement to cause chargingof the power source 150 to occur.

Returning to FIG. 1, a user interface 130 is also provided, and iscoupled to the power circuit 115 and to the integrated processor 105 viasignal bus 122. In one implementation, the user interface may includeone or more conventional displays 135 that may output text, graphics, ora combination. The display 135 may be implemented in such formats as aliquid crystal display, a thin film transistor display, touch-sensitivescreen, or organic LED display. The user interface 130 also includes anoptional data entry apparatus 140. In one implementation, the data entryapparatus 140 may include an array of buttons labeled in a manner suchas a QWERTY keyboard, a touch pad, a touch screen, or in a moresimplistic implementation, a telephone touch pad with alphanumeric keyassignments. In one implementation, the buttons in the data entryapparatus 140 may comprise blister buttons commonly known in the art.The user interface 130 may also include an optional on/off button thatactivates the subscriber unit 100 for selecting desired account access,performing a calculation, or authenticating a user.

An external interface 137 is also provided. The external interface 137enables the subscriber unit 100 to communicate with external devicessuch as computer terminals, computer networks, or point of sale (POS)terminals. The interface 137 receives data and/or commands fordisplaying text or graphical information from bus 122, and receivespower from power circuit 115. The interface 137 may also receive datafrom an outside source such as a wireless POS terminal, a financialinstitution, or a personal computer, and relays the data to theintegrated processor 105 through data bus 122. Through user input to thedata entry device 140, a variety of data may be provided to the externalinterface. In one implementation, the information provided to be outputfrom the interface 137 may comprise health care information, personalidentity information, biometric data, music, video data, or acombination thereof, and is considered interchangeable with the term“account data” used herein.

Turning to FIG. 2, exemplary implementations 200 of the externalinterface 137 are shown. External interface 137 is depicted with anoptional shielding element 137A, which allows desired electromagnetic,optical, or radiative signals to penetrate while protecting the externalinterface 137 from physical abuse or damage. The subscriber unit 100 mayoptionally have areas outside of the external interface 137 shieldedfrom physical abuse or otherwise acceptable forms of electromagneticradiation. Some of the acceptable signals that are allowed to penetratethe shielding 137A may include, but are not limited to, signalsaccompanying a magnetic field, RFID signals, IrDA signals, visiblelight, invisible light, modulated laser, and/or modulated RFcommunication signals. By way of example and not by way of limitation,selective shielding clement 137A may comprise a clear plastic shield,conformal coatings, an opaque plastic shield, or a clear thin film,depending on the implementation of external interface 137.

Non-limiting examples of the external interface are shown at referencenumeral 200, and include a magnetic stripe assembly 210, an antennaand/or transceiver 220, a display screen 230, electrical contacts 240,and a touch screen 250. The magnetic stripe assembly 210 may comprise,in one implementation 210A, a reprogrammable magnetic stripe 210B thataccepts data and/or commands from the processor 105 and formats andrenders that data into a form on a magnetic stripe that is readable byconventional merchant magnetic stripe-reading POS terminals. Throughthis approach, the processor 105 may configure itself with a particularaccount for use in a transaction as a function of user input selectingthe account. Alternatively, the processor 105 may erase the magneticstripe of the assembly 210, rendering the card useless in the event ofits loss or theft. In the implementation shown 210A, the magnetic stripeassembly 210B at least partially slidably moves 210C into and out of thehousing 102 of the subscriber unit 100 (partial view shown, sec alsoFIG. 7 and FIG. 8), allowing the subscriber unit 100 to conduct afinancial transaction at a point of sale terminal that includes amagnetic stripe reader.

Continuing with FIG. 2, another implementation of the external interface137 is shown as an antenna and/or transceiver 220. The antenna 220 mayinclude commonly used loop inductors such as the one shown 220A,cellular phone antennae, WiFi antennae or in those shown in related ISOstandards for RF-readably smart cards. With such an interface, accountdata may be translated, modulated, transmitted, and received by thesubscriber unit in a manner acceptable by an RE contactless merchantPoint-Of-Service (POS) terminal, a 802.11 WiFi or WiMax network, or by acellular or RF communications network.

The external interface 137 may also be represented with a display screen230. Account data may be rendered in the form of an optically-readablearea, such as a one dimensional or two dimensional bar code 230A. Inthis manner, merchant POS terminals may optically scan the display area230 with conventional laser scanners, and obtain account informationwithout the need for expensive contactless RF POS terminals. As thedisplay is electronically reconfigurable with information provided bythe processor 105, the subscriber unit 100 may represent any number ofaccounts for transaction payment based on the user's preference andinput to the user interface 130. Also, as a security feature, thedisplay may be blanked or filled with a decorative or entertaininggraphic when the user has not provided an optional security access code,pad stroke, or pin number to the user interface 130.

External contacts 240 are yet another alternative implementation of theexternal interface 137 shown in FIG. 2. With the subscriber unit 100possessing physical contacts such as an array of conductive pads orshapes 240A, the subscriber unit may be placed in physical contact witha merchant POS terminal, and the external contacts 240 may establishconnectivity to the merchant's financial processing system. Theintegrated processor 105 may relay account-related information to themerchant POS terminal through the contact interface, thereby allowingthe subscriber unit 100 to be utilized with the large number ofpreexisting merchant POS terminals that accept smart cards. As with theother implementations 210, 220, 230, and 250 of the external interface137, a combination of techniques may be utilized within the externalinterface to provide flexibility of use and ease of merchant access toaccount information.

Alternatively, the external interface 137 may comprise a touch screen250, wherein text and/or graphics may be displayed, and user input maybe accepted by touching selected areas of the screen. For example, butnot by way of limitation, in an implementation shown at referencenumeral 250A, a user is prompted to tap on one of a plurality of accountdescriptors, thereby selecting an account to complete a transaction.Those of skill in the relevant arts also appreciate that tapping thescreen may be combined with using pointing devices such as a joystick,direction buttons, or selection wheels. In one embodiment, a user mayprovide authentication information by touching the display 250 inspecified areas to indicate sequences of pin numbers, selected graphicalelements, or drag strokes that match a predetermined access criterionstored within the storage 110.

Turning to FIG. 3, an implementation of the subscriber unit 100 is shownalong with one possible financial token embodiment 300. The substrate ofthe financial token 300, in one implementation, takes the form of atransaction card 300 that is substantially rigid and thin as areconventional credit or debit cards, and possesses substantially similardimensions as existing credit, debit, stored value, or smart cards. Inone implementation, the thickness of card 300 exceeds that ofconventional credit, debit, or stored value cards in order toaccommodate circuitry, electronics, displays, and/or interface elements.The substrate of the card 300 contains an embedded processor 305 andmemory 310.

A front side of the token 300 is shown with an array of buttons 312 anda display 335 for outputting alphanumeric text or graphics, such as anaccount number and expiration date. An array of physical contacts 350 isshown, which may be utilized in conjunction with a POS terminal, or theelectrical/data interface or coupler 145. In the illustratedimplementation, the token 300 may be placed within the subscriber unit100 by, for example, but not by way of limitation, sliding the token 300into 322 a slot 323 defining a cavity within the subscriber unit housing102. The subscriber unit housing 102 retains the token 300 until theuser actuates a hardware mechanism such as a latch (not shown) thatretains the token 300 within the cavity within the subscriber unithousing 102. Alternatively, the token 300 could be retained by anelectromechanical latch (not shown) coupled to the power source 150 andthe integrated processor 105, wherein the token could be released uponan execution of a command by the processor 105. For example, but not byway of limitation, if a user entered a valid authorization code into thetouch screen interface 250A, the processor determines the code Is validand provides a command to the electromechanical latch to release thetoken from the subscriber unit. Alternatively, a drive element (such asthose that actuate Compact Disk player disk slots in portable CDplayers) could eject the card through the slot 323 upon receiving acommand to eject the card from the processor 105.

The subscriber unit 100 is shown with a user input mechanism comprisingan array of buttons 140, and a touch screen 250A as described inrelation to FIG. 2. An external charging interface 158 is provided on aside panel of the housing of the apparatus 102. The touch screen, aswith most conventional Portable Digital Assistants (PDAs), both acceptsinput through strokes or taps and produces output for viewing by theuser. Status information and commands may be entered by the user tappingon or dragging on the touch screen 250A.

By way of example but not limitation, the subscriber unit 100 includes,in the illustrated embodiment, an array of electrical contacts 353comprising at least a portion of the financial token internal electricalinterface 145. When the token 300 is fully inserted 322 into the cavityof the subscriber unit housing 102, the contacts 353 proximally engagewith the contacts 350 on the token 300, thereby establishing electricalconnectivity. As described below other implementations of the internalinterface 145 with the token 300 are possible, whereby electricalcoupling between the token 300 and the subscriber unit 100 areaccomplished using all or partially contactless approaches. Further, asrecited herein, the terms “coupling” or “in communication with” may beinterpreted to mean a physical connection, a wireless connection, orsome combination of physical and wireless connectivity.

In one implementation, the user turns on the subscriber unit 100 bydepressing an on/off button 305, and then produces a stroke on thepad/screen 250A by dragging a fingertip or stylus across the pad orscreen area 250A to reproduce a symbol or glyph substantially similar toa symbol pre-programmed into the integrated processor 105 and storage110 (embedded, not shown). Once the symbol or glyph is entered by theuser on the pad/screen 250A, the processor 105 compares its featureswith a pre-stored graphical implementation and if the symbol's featuresare within a predetermined range, the subscriber unit 100 is enabled foruse, otherwise an invalid entry message is output to display 250A anduse is further inhibited until the successful glyph or symbol isentered.

As further explanation of the coupling between the subscriber unit 100and the token 300, we return to FIG. 1. The subscriber unit 100 includesan internal electrical/data port or interface 145 that is coupled to theintegrated processor 105 through the signal bus 120 and to a powersignal through power line 119 as described above. Since the signal bus120 and power line 119 carry potentially bidirectional signals, dataand/or power signals may flow into or out of the electrical/datainterface 145. In one implementation, a power signal is delivered to andenergizes at least part of the coupled financial token 300 through theelectrical data interface 145. Using the supplied power, the financialtoken 300 may operate onboard circuitry to exchange data with thesubscriber unit 100, receive commands from the subscriber unit 100, orcharge an energy storage clement embedded within the financial token 300from the subscriber unit's power source 150. Through the interface, theintegrated processor 105 may also determine a charge state of the energystorage clement within the token, and display the status in the userinterface 130. Also, memory 310 within the financial token 300 may bequeried through commands issued by the bus 120 through the interface145, and the processor 105 may receive and process the results of thedata returned through the interface 145. For example, but not by way oflimitation, the processor 105 may request data regarding a financialaccount from the financial token 300, and the subscriber unit 100 mayconduct a transaction using the external interface 137, in lieu ofconducting the transaction using only the financial token 300. Asanother example, but not by way of limitation, the processor 105 maysend commands and account data to the financial token 300, configuringthe token 300 for use for a particular account as selected through theuser interface 130.

The internal port or interface 145 may be coupled to a financial token300 by any number of electrical coupling techniques, includingelectrical contacts between the subscriber unit 100 and the financialtoken, RFID signal transceivers, IrDA signal infrared transceivers,visible light transceivers, invisible light transceivers, magnetic stripread/write heads, modulated laser transceivers, modulated RFcommunication transceivers, and combinations thereof. Those of skill inthe relevant arts appreciate that a combination of coupling techniquesmay be utilized, such as by providing a data signals through electricalcontacts while a power signal is delivered by an electromagnetic fieldfrom the subscriber unit 100 to an inductor located within the token300.

Turning to FIG. 4, another implementation of a mobile subscriber unit100 is shown with a financial token 300. The token 300 has an embeddedprocessor 305, a memory 310, and an energy storage element 451 such as athin film capacitor electrically coupled to the token's electroniccircuitry. The token 300 has a magnetic stripe 430, which likeconventional magnetic stripe fields, is readable by preexisting merchantPOS terminals or ATMs. The magnetic stripe 330 may optionally beprogrammable by data and commands sent from the an embedded processorwithin the token 305 and memory 310.

Similarly to FIG. 3, the token 300 may be placed within the subscriberunit 100 by, for example, but not by way of limitation, sliding 322 thetoken 300 into a slot 323 defining a cavity within the subscriber unithousing 102. The subscriber unit housing 102 retains the token 300 untilthe user actuates a hardware mechanism such as a latch (not shown) thatretains the token 300 within the cavity within the subscriber unithousing 102. Alternatively, the token 300 could be retained by anelectromechanical latch (not shown) coupled to the power source 150 andthe integrated processor 105, wherein the token could be released uponan execution of a command by the processor 105. For example, but not byway of limitation, if a user entered a valid authorization code into thetouch screen interface 250A, the processor determines the code is validand provides a command to the electromechanical latch to release thetoken from the subscriber unit. Alternatively, a drive element (such asthose that actuate Compact Disk player disk slots in portable CDplayers) could eject the card through the slot 323 upon receiving acommand to eject the card from the processor 105.

In this implementation, the subscriber unit 100 includes an internal setof electromagnetic read and/or write heads 450 which comprise onepossible embodiment of the electrical/data interface 145. As the token300 is moved 322 into the cavity 323, the heads 450 traverse asignificant portion of the length of the magnetic stripe 430 while inproximity to the surface of the magnetic stripe. If the heads 450 are soenabled by the integrated processor 105, data may be read from and/orwritten to the magnetic stripe 430 during insertion 322 or extraction ofthe token 300. Such data, as mentioned previously is processed by theintegrated processor 105 by transmitting the data to or receiving thedata from the data bus 120 which is in turn coupled to the internalinterface 145. In one example, but not by way of limitation, the token'smagnetic stripe 430 is erased by the read/write heads 430 upon insertion322 to the subscriber unit 100, and is programmed with account dataspecified in the user interface 140 upon removal of the token 300 fromthe subscriber unit.

Also shown on the card 300 is an optional array of physical contacts350, which, as described above come into proximity with internalelectrical contacts 353 when the token 300 is inserted 322 into thecavity 323. The contacts 353 comprise at least a portion of thefinancial token internal interface 145. When the token 300 is fullyinserted 322 into the cavity of the subscriber unit housing 102, thecontacts 353 proximally engage with the contacts 350 on the token 300,thereby establishing electrical connectivity. As mentioned previously,other implementations of the internal interface 145 with the token 300are possible, whereby electrical coupling between the token 300 and thesubscriber unit 100 are accomplished using all or partially contactlessapproaches.

Turning to FIG. 7, an alternate implementation of the subscriber unit100 is shown as a communications device such as a portable cellulartelephone. The subscriber unit housing 102 includes a slot 323 for afinancial token 300, or optionally, the financial token 300 ispermanently or semi-permanently integrated within the hardware of thesubscriber unit 100. The subscriber unit 100 has a display 230, anantenna 220 coupled to an internal transceiver, and a data entry keypad140, allowing interaction with the subscriber unit to issue usercommands. In one embodiment, the external electrical interface 158 isconfigured to receive a contact plug bearing electrical signals from acomponent such as a cable 720, and such signals may comprise chargingsignals and/or data signals. As mentioned previously, the subscriberunit 100 may be used to complete a financial transaction withoutremoving token 300, or the subscriber unit 100 may configure the token300, using commands entered through the user interface 140, to select aparticular transaction payment account to be transmitted to the tokenthrough the internal electrical interface (not shown). In a similarspirit, FIG. 8 illustrates another implementation of the subscriber unit100, shown as a consumer device such as a personal digital assistant(PDA). The subscriber unit housing 102 includes a slot 323 for afinancial token 300, or optionally, the financial token 300 ispermanently or semi-permanently integrated within the hardware of thesubscriber unit 100. The subscriber unit 100 has a touch screen display250A for entry and output of commands and data, data buttons and pads140, and an antenna 220 coupled to a transceiver within the housing 102.The electrical interface 158 is configured to receive a contact plugbearing electrical signals from a component such as a cable 720, andsuch signals may comprise charging signals and/or data signals. Asmentioned above, the subscriber unit 100 may also be used to complete afinancial transaction without removing token 300, or the subscriber unit100 may configure the token 300, using commands entered through the userinterface 140, to select a particular transaction payment account to betransmitted to the token through the internal electrical interface (notshown).

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary process 900 for the use of variousimplementations of a mobile subscriber unit and financial transactiontoken such as the mobile subscriber unit 100 seen in FIG. 1 or thefinancial card 300. In step 910 the financial transaction token or card300 is connected to the subscriber unit, such as by (see, e.g., FIG. 4)sliding 322 a financial card 300, into a slot 323. This is an optionalstep which may have been performed by a party selling a turnkey productsuch as a mobile cellular phone with an integrated financial token orcard. Next, the processor 105 of the mobile subscriber unit 100 detectsa condition 920, wherein payment for a financial transaction is pending.Non-limiting examples of such conditions indicating the need to providepayment for a transaction include, but are not limited to a userentering an indicia through the user interface such as an indiciaindicating a request to provide payment for a financial transaction; auser pressing a button in the user interface 130 while the mobilesubscriber unit is in an active communication mode; a user selecting thepurchase of a service from a solicitation presented in the userinterface 130; a user placing the mobile subscriber unit 100 within apredetermined distance of a wireless point of sale (POS) terminal; auser placing the mobile subscriber unit 100 within an electromagneticfield where the electromagnetic field has a predetermined communicationsprotocol and a minimum magnitude (such as in the case of theantenna/transceiver 220 detecting RF signals broadcast by a merchantthat are intended to interface to financial transaction devices); a userplacing the mobile subscriber unit 100 in contact with electricalcontacts coupled to a POS terminal; the mobile subscriber unit 100detecting, through the antenna/transceiver 220, an authenticated signalrequesting initiation of a transaction; the integrated processor 105 ofthe mobile subscriber unit detecting a request to initiate a transactionprovided by the financial token or card 300 through the electricalinterface 145; and combinations of these conditions.

In step 930, the integrated processor 105 of the mobile subscriber unit100 sends a command to the token or card 300 through the interface 145.This command may include, but not by way of limitation, a command totransition from a standby state to an active state. If so activated, thetoken or card 300 may then be capable of obtaining data from a memory310 within the token or card 300 and transmitting the data to theintegrated processor 105 through the interface 145.

In step 940, which is optional, a user may be queried, through the userinterface 130, to select an account to be used to provide payment for afinancial transaction. If the user is not queried, a default account maybe utilized as described in more depth below. For example, but not byway of limitation, the user could be prompted to select one accountamong a number of personal debit accounts, personal credit accounts,business credit accounts, or personal bank accounts. The user, in oneimplementation, makes a selection by entering an indicia through theuser interface 130, such as by tapping a touch screen 250 in proximityan account indicia displayed upon the screen 250A.

In step 950, data regarding an account (such as an account number, andaccount security validation data) is obtained by the integratedprocessor 105. The integrated processor 105 may obtain the data, suchas, but not by way of limitation, by retrieving account data pre-storedin the storage 110, retrieving account data utilized in a previoustransaction and stored in the storage 110. or retrieving, through theinterface 145, an account number stored in the memory 305 of the tokenor card 300. If an account indicia was provided by a user through theuser interface 130 in regards to step 940, the processor 105, determinesthe location where the account-related data is stored, and retrievesthat data accordingly. A default condition may be specified, whereindata regarding the last account number successfully used in atransaction may be selected for use in the current transactioncondition.

Optional step 960 provides for the configuration of the token or card300 to be used in a financial transaction. Once the account choice isentered or default account data selected in regards to step 940, theprocessor 105, through the interface 145, configures the token or card300 with the appropriate account-related information to enable the tokenor card 300 to be used to provide payment for a financial transactionindependently of the subscriber unit 100. As non-limiting examples,account information may be provided to and rendered in an encoding areaof the token or card 300, such as by displaying a bar code representingthe account information, reconfiguring a reprogrammable magnetic stripe430 on the card 300, displaying an account number, or providingelectrical signals for electrical contacts in communication with a POSterminal.

In step 970, a transaction protocol is initiated by the mobilesubscriber unit 100, where data regarding an account is transferred toan external entity to effect payment for a transaction. For example, butnot by way of limitation, the subscriber unit 100 receives a request,through antenna/transceiver 220, to provide an account number andaccount validation data, and the subscriber unit 100 transmits 980 suchinformation through the transceiver/antenna 220 in response to therequest.

In optional step 990, the user is prompted through the user interface130 whether the subscriber unit 100, or token or card 300, is to be shutdown or otherwise placed into an inactive state. If the user sospecifies by entering an indicia through the user interface 130, theintegrated processor 105 takes action to place the token or card 300and/or the subscriber unit 100 in an inactive state or energy conservingmode. Optional step 995 also depicts a condition where the integratedprocessor 105 of the subscriber unit 100 or the embedded processor 305of the token or card 300 begins a countdown sequence. The purpose ofthis countdown is to turn off the respective subscriber unit 100 ortoken or card 300 after a predetermined time interval if the internalbattery energy source is enabled and the respective subscriber unit 100or token or card 300 is not in use, thereby preventing inadvertentdischarge of the internal power or energy source. The user may, throughthe user interface 130, abort the timeout automatic shutdown by enteringany indicia that the subscriber unit 100 or token or card 300 is toremain in active condition.

The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in connectionwith the implementations disclosed herein may be embodied directly inhardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in acombination of the two. The various steps or acts in a method or processmay be performed in the order shown in FIG. 9 may be performed inanother order. Additionally, one or more process steps may be omitted orone or more process steps may be added to the processes. An additionalstep, block, or action may be added in the beginning, end, orintervening existing elements of such processes.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enableany person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure.Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intendedto be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

1.-48. (canceled)
 49. A programmable device comprising: a mobilesubscriber unit in a form of a wearable item, wherein the mobilesubscriber unit comprises: an integrated processor configured tocommunicate with an interface of a financial transaction tokencomprising a memory storing data regarding an account, wherein thefinancial transaction token comprises payment account data; storage,coupled to the integrated processor and configured to store and retrievecode executable by the integrated processor; a transceiver coupled tothe integrated processor; and an antenna, wherein the integratedprocessor is configured to detect through the transceiver of the mobilesubscriber unit a signal requesting initiation of a transaction receivedfrom a merchant access device.
 50. The programmable device of claim 49,wherein the mobile subscriber unit conducts transactions as a proxy forthe financial transaction token, and wherein the financial transactiontoken conducts transactions independently of the mobile subscriber unit.51. The programmable device of claim 49, wherein the wearable item isjewelry.
 52. The programmable device of claim 49, wherein the wearableitem comprises an onboard energy source.
 53. The programmable device ofclaim 52, wherein the onboard energy source is a thin film capacitor.54. The programmable device of claim 49, wherein the financialtransaction token further comprises an electrical interface incommunication with the integrated processor of the mobile subscriberunit, and the mobile subscriber unit is further configured to: obtain,through the electrical interface of the financial transaction token, thepayment account data; and transmit the payment account data through thetransceiver.
 55. A mobile subscriber unit comprising: an integratedprocessor configured to communicate with an interface of a financialtransaction token, wherein the financial transaction token comprises: amemory storing data regarding an account, a substrate of a payment cardencoded with payment account data, and an energy storage device locatedwithin the financial transaction token; a power source located in themobile subscriber unit, wherein the integrated processor is configuredto: receive a communication from the financial transaction token, andrelay a charging current from the power source located in the mobilesubscriber unit to the energy storage device located within thefinancial transaction token; and wherein a transaction is conducted inone of two modes, including the mobile subscriber unit acting as a proxyfor the financial transaction token to conduct the transaction, and thefinancial transaction token conducts the transaction independently ofthe mobile sub scriber unit.
 56. The mobile subscriber unit of claim 55,wherein the power source utilizes an onboard energy generationcapability to generate the charging current for the energy storagedevice located within the financial transaction token.
 57. The mobilesubscriber unit of claim 56, wherein the onboard energy source is a thinfilm capacitor.
 58. The mobile subscriber unit of claim 55, wherein themobile subscriber unit further comprises a second energy storage device,and wherein the power source utilizes an onboard energy generationcapability to generate the charging current for the second energystorage device.
 59. The mobile subscriber unit of claim 55, wherein themobile subscriber unit further comprises a second interface, and thesecond interface displays a keyboard.
 60. A mobile payment system foreffecting payment for a financial transaction, the mobile payment systemcomprising: a financial transaction token comprising an interface; amemory storing data regarding an account; and an embedded processorcoupled to the memory; a mobile subscriber unit comprising: anintegrated processor configured to communicate with the interface of thefinancial transaction token; storage, coupled to the integratedprocessor and configured to store and retrieve code executable by theintegrated processor; and a transceiver coupled to the integratedprocessor, wherein the integrated processor executes at least some ofthe code stored in the storage to: (1) command the embedded processor ofthe financial transaction token to assume an active state; (2) configurethe financial transaction token to select the account for use in thefinancial transaction; (3) obtain data regarding the selected account;and (4) transmit the data regarding the selected account through thetransceiver; wherein the financial transaction token is programmable toinitiate transactions independently of the mobile subscriber unit andthe mobile subscriber unit is programmable to initiate transactionsindependently of the financial transaction token.
 61. The mobile paymentsystem of claim 60, wherein the mobile subscriber unit conductstransactions as a proxy for the financial transaction token.
 62. Themobile payment system of claim 60, wherein the mobile subscriber unitcomprises an onboard energy source.
 63. The programmable device of claim62, wherein the onboard energy source is a thin film capacitor.
 64. Themobile payment system of claim 60, wherein the financial transactiontoken further comprises an electrical interface in communication withthe integrated processor of the mobile subscriber unit.